For three years now, I have played in a 9-hole, Monday night league with my father. It's full of people we have known for years, including my best friend, Mitch, and his father, Joe. Before the round begins, Joe is cracking jokes about how he got his hair cut in case he gets a hole in one and wanted to look good for the pictures. Before we head off to our tee boxes (shot gun start), I yell back that I'm looking forward to the beers Joe is buying after the round!
I have not been playing great golf this year, and that was the case again today. I mixed in a par or two, but mostly bogeys and doubles. Finally, we get to our last hole, and I'm feeling depleted after a rough round, we all know the feeling. It's a beautiful par 3 with a slightly elevated tee, and the green is just behind a pond of water. The sun was about to set over the tree line behind the green.
I was the only one playing from the white tees, as my father and our playing partners qualify for the senior tees. So I go ahead and get set up and they all stand behind me while I hit. It was 138 yards with slope, just a nice comfortable swing with my PW. I find my line, step up to the ball, and swing away. It felt good, and the ball seemed to be tracking well before I lost it in the sun. My fathers says, "Oh that's right at it!"
This is usually the part where I hold my breath, praying I get to watch it drop in the cup. But with my game lately, I didn't feel so confident. I just put my hand up to block the sun, and looked near the hole to try and see where it would end up. The ball lands about a foot and a half short of the hole, and a smidge to the left. One hop and a short roll, the ball disappears.
I immediately throw my club down, look at my father, and yell "IT WENT IN!!! IT WENT IN!!! IT WENT IN!!!" Lots of sweaty hugs, high fives, and Ric Flair "WOOO's" ensued. The moment I had dreamt about for years finally came. And I couldn't be happier that my father was there with me to celebrate.
We are in the parking lot after the round, and word spread fast. Thankfully it hadn't spread to Mitch and Joe yet. I met them at their truck when they pulled in and asked Joe if he got that hole in one he was hoping for. He said "Man I didn't get it this time, but there's always next week," I smiled and said "I guess that means all the beers are on me tonight." Mitch's eyes get big and and says "YOU HIT A HOLE IN ONE?!" More sweaty hugs and high fives.
Ended the night by getting dinner and buying beers for those that came and celebrated with me. Truly a moment I'll never forget. The hunt for ace number 2 starts now!